The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
World of wonder
Iceland a new frontier for Northeast Ohio travelers thanks to newer flight option
Iceland, the small island nation in the north Atlantic, offers many experiences. And especially once you trade the capital city of Reykjavik for the open road, there is a great deal to discover among the country’s stunning natural beauty.
Leaving the cosmopolitan vibe of the capital city of Reykjavik, the open road and stunning natural beauty brings out much to discover.
The introduction in May of direct flights four times a week from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to Reykjavik by discount carrier Wow Airlines has opened the door to Iceland as another affordable gateway to Europe for Northeast Ohio residents. The flights offered seasonally, from May through October, depart from Cleveland on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Return flights are available Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
I’ve long been intrigued by this place known as the Land of Fire and Ice because of its abundance of volcanoes and glaciers. Iceland’s relative isolation, its strange language and folkloric beliefs in elves added to my fascination.
Rolling into Keflavik International Airport at 10:30 a.m. on a Monday
in early June, with a backpack in hand, I rented a car to traverse the Ring Road highway, which circles the country. It was a 10-day trip in which I sought out Iceland’s mystique and growing reputation as a place to discover.
Iceland has more than 300 miles of unpaved roads, making vehicle choice important. For the Ring Road, a traditional two-wheeldrive is sufficient. For travelers wanting to tackle the Icelandic highlands in the interior or the Westfjords, four-wheel-drive is necessary. With mostly small towns, Iceland is a solo traveler’s playground. It offers vast open space, national parks and fertile grounds for camping and exploring caves, volcanoes and the numerous natural wonders available in an area roughly the size of Maine.
Road tripping
To do the full Ring Road loop, plan to invest at least 10 days. Anything less than that will leave you skipping major portions of the country entirely. Along with enabling a swift and efficient journey, Ring Road is a gateway to Iceland’s interior and excursions off the main roads.
Getting off the Ring Road is a must in finding Iceland’s hidden jewels, whether those be in majestic throes of Hornstrandir National Park, in the far reaches of the Westfjords, a region isolated in its beauty, and completely inaccessible during the winter months; or perhaps tracking down one of the many natural hot springs spread throughout the country. I chose the latter, driving to Landbrotalaug, 25 miles north of Borgarnes, where I came across a dirt road and walked across a stream to a small isolated hot spring.
Summer daylight hours extend from approximately 3 a.m. until 11 p.m. However, the sun never completely disappears from sight.
When you’re criss-crossing Iceland’s west coast up to the Akureyri region in the northeast, some of the most satisfying discoveries in Iceland can be found by accident or word of mouth.
Reykjavik
Iceland’s capital city, home to about 125,000 people, makes it by far the most populous city in the country. Its blend of cosmopolitan coffeehouses, nightlife and Nordic culture makes it attractive to travelers from afar.
Although alcohol was banned until 1989, the city now is home to more than 100 bars, many of which are on Laugavegur and Bankastraeti, two of the city’s main hubs for activity.
A small city in population and area compared to other European capitals, Reykjavik is entirely walkable; the streets are lined with bike paths, making it very easy to reach its many museums and galleries.
The Reykjavik City Library is also home to the Icelandic Photography Museum and within a short walk to the Reykjavik Harbor.
The small Island nation of 325,000 people has one of the world’s highest literacy rates at about 99 percent.
West Iceland
Iceland’s Route 1, better known as Ring Road, is the country’s main highway and circumnavigates the country in slightly more than 800 miles.
After you ease onto Ring Road, the drive from Reykjavik north opens the door to Iceland’s mystique. Borgarfjörður, a fjord on the way to the picturesque town of Borgarnes, captures Iceland’s essence with snow-capped mountains surrounding the area along with numerous trails and camping opportunities.
Leading into Borgarnes right off the highway, motorists will come upon Hafnarfjall Mountain, a 2,600foot peak and the ruins of a 6 million-year-old volcano.
After driving to the far west coast on the north side of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, I found myself in the small towns of Rif and Hellissandur, near the base of Snaefellsjökull National Park, the home of a 700,000-year-old glaciercapped stratovolcano of the same name.
Rif, a village of only a few hundred people and far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Reykjavik, is vintage Iceland. In Rif and other small towns like it, the pace is slower
The location is wellknown in popular culture due to its role in Jules Verne’s 1864 novel, “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” The area, filled with mosscovered lava fields, appears as if it could be a different planet. There are plenty of hiking trails to explore.
Akureyri
Six hours north of Reykjavik on Ring Road is Akureyri, Iceland’s secondlargest city, at 18,000 people, and the cultural center of northern Iceland. At the base of the Iceland Sea and southern interior of the fjord Eyjafjörður, the city is a solid base for exploring the northern region of the country, as it’s in close proximity to Lake Myvatn, Goðafoss (“Waterfall of the God”) and the northern islands of Hrisey and Grimsey. It’s a launching point for whale watching and other off-coast excursions.
With a healthy collection of restaurants, cafes, museums and galleries, Akureyri has the feel of continental Europe, resembling small German or Swiss towns with an urban, yet quaint feel.
Golden Circle
One of the most popular tourist attractions in the country is the Golden Circle region stretching from Reykjavik and south. The 190-mile loop captures some of Iceland’s most breathtaking sights, including Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall. Gullfoss, one of the most stunning waterfalls in Iceland, is in the canyon of the Hvita River.
The drive can be done in an afternoon. However, for those wishing to spend more time in the area, camping in and around Thingvellir or staying at one of the numerous hostels can add to the visual spectacles of nature.